Final answer:
The argument that wealthy industrialised countries should address global energy issues is supported by their historical emissions and resources, yet it is weakened by issues of fairness, the increasing emissions from developing countries, and the need for global cooperation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The argument that rich industrialised countries should solve the world's energy problems has several strengths. One of the main strengths is the moral responsibility these countries have due to their historical contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, making them primary contributors to climate change. This is supported by evidence such as the 2020 Oxfam study showing that the richest 10 per cent of the global population were responsible for about 52 per cent of global emissions. Furthermore, these nations have the financial and technological resources to develop sustainable energy solutions.
However, there are also weaknesses in this argument. One significant weakness is the assumption that high-income countries should primarily bear the responsibility for climate change mitigation, which does not account for rapidly increasing emissions from industrializing nations. In addition, there is a fairness issue in asking low-income countries to prioritize environmental protection over economic development, particularly when their citizens are in dire need of improved living conditions. Lastly, imposing the burden exclusively on wealthy countries may ignore the necessity of global cooperation and the potential for innovative solutions from all nations.